iTEP Business 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the conditional tense in a business context?

If the client approves the proposal, we will proceed with the contract. (Correct answer)
If the client will approve the proposal, we will proceed.
If the client approved the proposal, we will proceed.
If the client approves the proposal, we proceed.

Correct answer: If the client approves the proposal, we will proceed with the contract.

First conditional uses 'if + present simple' in the condition clause and 'will + base verb' in the result clause.

The first conditional expresses a real or likely future situation. The correct structure is 'If + present simple, will + base form'. Option A correctly uses 'approves' (present simple) + 'will proceed' (future). Option B incorrectly uses 'will approve' in the if-clause. Option C uses past simple 'approved', which is second conditional structure (for hypothetical situations). Option D omits the future auxiliary 'will', making it less natural for a genuine future prediction in business communication.

Question 2: In a business meeting, a colleague says: 'Let's table the discussion on the budget for now.' What does this mean?

Postpone the discussion to a later time (Correct answer)
Begin the budget discussion immediately
Cancel the budget meeting entirely
Write the budget on a table

Correct answer: Postpone the discussion to a later time

In American English, 'to table' a discussion means to postpone or set it aside for a future meeting.

Business English idioms vary between American and British English. In American English, 'to table' means to postpone or set aside a topic for later consideration — the opposite of the British meaning, where 'to table' means to bring an item forward for immediate discussion. In the iTEP Business context, test-takers are expected to understand common business idioms and their specific meanings. 'Table the discussion' in American corporate settings means deferring to a future time.

Question 3: Which subject line is most appropriate for a professional email requesting a meeting?

Meeting Request: Q3 Budget Review – Thursday, May 15 (Correct answer)
URGENT!!! Need to meet ASAP about money stuff
hey, can we talk?
Meeting

Correct answer: Meeting Request: Q3 Budget Review – Thursday, May 15

Professional email subject lines should be specific, informative, and appropriately formal, identifying the topic, purpose, and time when relevant.

Effective business communication requires clarity and professionalism in email subject lines. Option A is specific (Q3 Budget Review), includes a date, and follows standard business email format. Option B uses excessive capitalization and exclamation marks (unprofessional), and vague language ('money stuff'). Option C is too casual and uninformative. Option D is too vague — 'Meeting' alone provides no context. The iTEP Business module tests writing register and professional communication conventions.

Question 4: Read the memo excerpt: 'All employees are required to submit their timesheets by close of business on Friday.' What does 'close of business' mean?

The end of the working day (Correct answer)
When the office closes permanently
Friday afternoon at 12:00
When the last customer leaves

Correct answer: The end of the working day

'Close of business' (COB) is a standard business phrase meaning the end of the official working day, typically 5:00 or 6:00 PM.

'Close of business' (often abbreviated as COB) is a widely used business phrase indicating the end of the standard workday, typically 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time. It is used in memos, emails, and directives to set deadlines. It does not mean the permanent closure of the business, a midday deadline, or departure of customers. iTEP Business listening and reading tasks frequently include such workplace-specific vocabulary and fixed expressions.

Question 5: Which of the following is an example of reported speech?

The manager said that the project had been completed on time. (Correct answer)
The manager says, 'The project was completed on time.'
The manager completes the project on time.
Has the project been completed on time?

Correct answer: The manager said that the project had been completed on time.

Reported speech (indirect speech) reports what someone said without using direct quotation marks, shifting the verb tense back in time.

Reported (indirect) speech conveys what someone said without quoting their exact words. It typically involves a reporting verb ('said', 'told', 'reported') and a that-clause with backshifted tenses. In Option A, 'said that the project had been completed' correctly uses reported speech with past perfect backshift. Option B uses direct speech with quotation marks. Options C and D are not reporting structures. Business English proficiency requires mastery of both direct and reported speech for email summarizing and meeting notes.

Question 6: A business professional writes: 'We look forward to hear from you soon.' What is the grammatical error?

'hear' should be 'hearing' (Correct answer)
'look forward' should be 'looking forward'
'soon' should be 'shortly'
There is no error

Correct answer: 'hear' should be 'hearing'

The fixed phrase 'look forward to' is always followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), not a bare infinitive.

The phrase 'look forward to' ends in the preposition 'to', not the infinitive marker 'to'. Prepositions must be followed by a noun or gerund (verb + -ing). Therefore, the correct form is 'look forward to hearing', not 'look forward to hear'. This is one of the most common errors in professional English writing. 'Looking forward to' is the present participle form used in formal email sign-offs. iTEP grammar sections frequently test preposition + gerund collocations.

iTEP Business 2

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the conditional tense in a business context?